We will be in Baltimore for family weekend, Nov 5-7. What are some of your favorite restaurants there, for a family of four to have a special dinner? We have liked Dalasio's (sp?) in little Italy, and would like another local-type place, not a chain. Thanks!

People love Tio Pepe and the Brass Elephant- although I have not been to either, they are true Baltimore institutions with good food.

If you're willing to drive a little, I also recommend Linwood's in Owings Mills. If you go, see if they still have the flourless chocolate cake. It's amazing!

Amicci's is my favorite restaurant in Baltimore, and in Little Italy.

http://www.amiccis.com/

Their pane rotundo, a garlic shrimp in a cream scampi sauce is to die for.

Yes, Amicci's is great! We had our wedding rehearsal dinner there a few months ago. Sabatino's is also in Little Italy and a little bit fancier than Amicci's. Marconi's is a fabuolous old Italian restaurant in the Mt. Vernon area. . .very nice for a special occasion.

Thanks for your help. Sounds like lots of good options. We like Italian, and also fresh fish dinners.
The Mt. Vernon district looks appealing, so I'll definitely look into Marconi's.
Anyone been to the restaurant in the historic hotel in that neighborhood-- I think it's called the Peabody Court hotel?

If you're staying near the Inner Harbor, there are a number of places just south of there, in Federal Hill. There are Japanese, Indian, Thai and Southwestern restaurants. None of them are terribly expensive. There're all about three or four blocks south of the Science Center.

We like Hull Street Blues in Locust Point for good dinners. They also have an amazing Sunday Brunch.

Thanks again, all! We'll be staying at the Tremont Park Hotel downtown, and visiting our daughter at Johns Hopkins University. So your ideas in and near those vicinities will be helpful. For brunch Sunday, we'll probably return to Gertrude's at the art museum next door to Hopkins. We went there once and it was very nice. Any other ideas for Italian and/or seafood? (Since we live in Denver, and have such great Mexican food here, we don't look for it elsewhere.) Your help is appreciated.

Another great Baltimore restaurant is the Bicycle at 1444 Light Street. Not far from where you are staying.

If you want to visit an interesting Baltimore neighborhood try Hampden, just west of Hopkins.

If you like Indian,you'll be right around the corner(from JHU) from the wonderful Ambassador Dining Room which has an elegant decor and great food.

What cuisine is served at The Bicycle?
Thanks for all your suggestions-- any more for fish and Italian?

Hope this link helps.

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ur_section=din

Have you been to Charleston?? It makes any dinner a special dinner!!

Read the menu and try not to drool....

http://www.charlestonrestaurant.com/

The Black Olive in Fells Point serves impeccable fish. They give you a tour of the fish case and you make your choice. Not cheap,but neither is Charleston!

I agree with the Black Olive,,also, Charleston is alittle snobbish. Soigne in south Baltimore is a gem -asian infusion- interesting menu- with a cozy and friendly atmosphere.

In addition to some already mentioned, my recommendation would be Sotto Sopra for great Italian food. The wine steward is particularly good at helping you in a casual, down-to-earth way. The restaurant is near the Washington Monument.

This menu may not be current but will give you an idea of the type of food that they serve:

http://www.bicyclebistro.com/Menu.html

Thank you all! I'll try to remember to post a restaurant review when we return.

We're back. Had a very nice time in Baltimore, for family weekend at Johns Hopkins U.
We're not ridiculously hard to please-- not 'foodies' or wine snobs-- but we are relatively knowledgeable. Having said that, here's the skinny on our experiences there.
We ate at the Brass Elephant Friday night and had a lovely dinner. Very nice atmosphere, great service, friendly people who are proud of the historic building and want to show it off. Very good food, priced appropriately. A special and memorable family dinner for us.
A few doors down on N. Charles Street is the Red Maple, a very interesting bar/lounge that our college daughter enjoys. Really cool atmosphere for the twenty-something crowd, and great tapas menu. Friendly reception there, too. Made my husband and I wish we were still young enough and cool enough to hang out there!
Saturday night we went to the Rusty Scupper on the harbor, opting for its location over all else. We were pleasantly surprised by its very good food, in addition to the great view. We were glad we'd gone there, becaue we had been a bit concerned it would be too touristy. It wasn't really. Good seafood and beef entrees, great Caesar salad, crab soup, seared tuna, etc. A very nice surpise.
We had looked into Sotto Sopra, but it was full and was a bit more than we wanted to spend. Too bad, as it was literally around the corner from our hotel.
And Bicycle was also over-booked, plus it seemed a bit too loud and close for our tastes. Since we don't get to have dinners with all four of us very often anymore, we wanted a more quiet place where we could hear each other talk.
For Sunday brunch we went to our favorite-- Gertrude's at the art museum nextdoor to our daughter's campus (Hopkins). However, just as we arrived, they experienced a power outage. Because we had to leave for the airport in two hours, we couldn't stay there, waiting till the power returned. So, we reluctantly left and we went to Donna's at Cross Keys, which is always dependable. (But it's not as good as Gertrude's.)
Our hotel was the Tremont Park, where we've stayed before. It is nice, in a small boutique way, mostly because the staff is so helpful and friendly there, so it's possible to enjoy its slightly tattered charm. The dining room where complimentary continental breakfast is offered is cute. The one bedroom suites are perfect for my husband and I with our son. It's nice to have that much room, plus a kitchenette. And with two TVs, my husband and I don't have to watch the junk TV our son likes! Also its close enough to walk down to the harbor if not using their complimentary shuttle.
Thank you all for your recommendations. They were very helpful.

Maureen,
Thanks for checking back in.

All those great recommendations and you ate at The Rusty Scupper?! Where did we go wrong??!!!! Glad you enjoyed your weekend.